Holiday Weekend Roundup: January 17-19
Armed Drug Trafficker and Reckless Driver Highlight Weekend Arrests
BUNNELL, Fla. — Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 13 arrests over the long holiday weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2026, and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Deputies handled 1,166 calls for service and made 275 traffic stops.
Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest for Trafficking in Methamphetamine and Multiple Other Felonies
On Saturday morning, deputies arrested an Ormond Beach man, who is a previously convicted felon, on numerous charges following a traffic stop.
Deputies conducting patrols in Palm Coast conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after observing multiple traffic infractions. During the traffic stop, Paul Pilcher Sr., 61, was identified as the driver and was determined to be driving with a suspended license.
A deputy asked Pilcher if he had any firearms in the vehicle, to which he stated no. However, the deputy observed an AR-15 style rifle on the floorboard of the vehicle, within arm’s reach of Pilcher. Deputies then ordered Pilcher out of the vehicle.
Through investigative means, deputies determined that Pilcher is a convicted felon, with prior convictions in Volusia County for dealing in stolen property, grand theft, and felony petit theft. As a convicted felon, he is not allowed to possess a firearm or ammunition.
Deputies identified the firearm as a KelTec SU-22, which had a loaded magazine with 16 rounds of ammunition, as well as a second magazine in the buttstock loaded with four rounds of ammunition. They also located a second firearm, a .44-caliber lever-action rifle, in the vehicle.
Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and located multiple plastic bags containing 41 total grams of a crystal-like substance, which later tested positive for methamphetamine, as well as marijuana and narcotics paraphernalia including a bong, scale and grinder.
The firearms, left, and the narcotics, right, recovered from Pilcher’s vehicle.
Deputies arrested Pilcher for possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana (20 grams or less), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
“This was a great job by our deputies looking beyond the traffic stop to seize firearms and poison from a dirtbag,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Instead of just writing a ticket, they took a convicted felon who was armed and trafficking meth off the street and into the Green Roof Inn.”
He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on an $81,000 bond.
Man with Suspended License Arrested After Deputies Catch Him Doing Doughnuts in Road
On Saturday afternoon, deputies arrested a career offender from Bunnell after he was seen stunt driving at an intersection in Daytona North.
A deputy conducting patrols in Daytona North, aka the Mondex, observed a pickup truck doing doughnuts in the middle of the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Holly Lane, leaving ruts in the dirt roadway. The truck then drove off, heading north on Holly Lane.
Deputies initiated a traffic stop and the truck rapidly pulled into the backyard of a residence on Mahogany Boulevard. The driver, later identified as Brian Swartz Jr., 33, of Bunnell, exited the vehicle and was quickly detained.
Deputies determined that Swartz was driving with a suspended license with knowledge, as one of the deputies recognized Swartz and had issued him a citation for driving while license suspended just two weeks prior. Deputies confirmed that Swartz’s has had numerous convictions for driving while license suspended.
Deputies arrested Swartz for violation of street racing or stunt driving laws and driving while license suspended – second or subsequent offense. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was later released on a $1,000 bond.
Brian Swartz Jr. (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
“It is incredibly clear that this guy cannot be trusted to be behind the wheel of a car,” said Sheriff Staly. “His license has been taken away numerous times, but unfortunately, it does not look like he has learned any kind of lesson. It’s time for him to grow up and start acting his age.”
In addition to the citations for driving while license suspended, Swartz has a lengthy arrest history. Since 2016, deputies have arrested Swartz 15 times for charges including contempt of court, credit card fraud, failure to register a motor vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with lights and sirens active, grand theft of a motor vehicle, loitering or prowling, operating a motorcycle without a license, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and resisting an officer without violence. He has also served multiple sentences in state prison.
“The list of things this guy has been arrested for goes on longer than a CVS receipt,” Sheriff Staly added. “Sadly, it seems the Green Roof Inn has become a second home for him.”
View footage from the arrests.###